September 2006 Crafts of the Month- A is for Acorns

As we get back into the swing of things in school thoughts turn to our ABCs and the changing season!  Acorns not only start with the letter A--but are beginning to FALL!  Picking up acorns is a great "figure-ground perception skill" since one needs to look for the acorns among the leaves and twigs that have fallen

So have the children go out and find a bag full of those acorns.  To keep them "bug-free"--bake or microwave them for a few minutes and let them cool before using. After collecting the acorns, it is a great opportunity to sort them by size--small, medium and large. Count how many acorns you found!

Acorn Pictures/Name Plates
 

Materials Needed

Construction Paper
Tacky glue
Markers
Acorns

Directions:

1. Write name or letter a on construction paper with markers.
2.  Pipe glue on areas of paper that will be covered with acorns.
3.  Using appropriate pincher grasp, line acorns up on glue.
4.  Let dry, hang papers up.

Acorn Napkin Rings


Materials Needed:

Empty toilet paper rolls cut into 1/4s
Tacky glue
Yarn or Rick Rack pieces
Acorns
Paper napkins

Directions:

1.  Rub glue over toilet paper tube ring and spiral on rick rack or yarn.  Let dry.
2.  Glue several acorns onto ring and let dry.
3. Insert napkins and use at place settings on table

Acorn "Knitting Basket" Pin
   

Materials Needed:

Cap of Large Acorn
Thin strands of yarn or embroidery floss
Tacky Glue
Two straight  pins with ball heads
Pin back with adhesive strip for connecting to acorn

Directions:

1.  Roll pieces of yarn or floss into tiny balls.
2.  Glue balls into cap of acorn.
3.  Stick glue on ends of pins and insert into balls of yarn to look like knitting needles.
4.  Attach pin back to the back of the acorn cap
5.  Send pin home for Mom to wear.

The name or "A" craft can be used with  any age children.  The napkin rings work well with children over age 5, and the pins for children over age 6.  The first two crafts address eye-hand coordination and pinch grasp.  The third craft addresses fine motor and bilateral coordination.